A 22-year-old man gave his dad and step-mum a hug hours before he died in a crash in Chester. Cody Dobbs was a pillion passenger on a black Kawasaki Z650 D2 motorcycle travelling along the A41 Liverpool Road when it crashed in the early hours of Saturday, September 19.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died several days later. In a tribute issued by Cheshire Police, Cody's dad Conor Dobbs said the family were "truly devastated" by the loss of their son, whose life was "so cruelly brought to a sudden and tragic end".
A 'kind, caring, loving person'
Cody was from Northwich and worked as a chef at the Clock Tower pub in the Cheshire town. His step-mum Michelle Dickson and step-sister Shannon Shuttleworth told the ECHO the outpouring of support after Cody's death demonstrates the type of person he was.
Michelle, 52, from Northwich, said: "It was a tragic accident and nobody deserves to have to bury their child. Everybody has been so kind. We even had a gentleman drive from Chester to the Clock Tower, where Cody used to work, to just drop off a card because he didn't know our address.
"Little things like that, it goes a long way. It just shows what a kind, caring, loving person he was. Everybody that Cody came into contact with, he touched their hearts in one way or another.
"There's a lot of people out there that are going through things. Cody had the value of, 'a smile could make someone's day, because you never know what people are going through.'
He was always smiling. He just treated everybody with love and respect. Anybody that came into his life loved him. At the Clock Tower, where we worked, he wasn't just a colleague, it was like a family there. We're blown away by everybody's kindness and support."
Final conversation and funeral plans
On the family's last conversation with Cody, Michelle said: "He left home on Friday evening, gave me a hug, gave his dad a hug and said, 'see you tomorrow.'
"Then his dad got a call at 7am on the Saturday from the police. At 22 years of age, you think, 'oh, what's he been up to? Has he got in a fight?'
"He didn't pass away on his own. He had me, his dad and his biological mum with him, but it doesn't seem real. We haven't seen him (since he died) because of the police investigation. We are due to see him this week and the funeral is a week on Thursday.
"It's very hard talking like this as it was, because it's still very raw. We have the rollercoaster of, we cry, and then we're like, it's not real, it's not happened, even though it's been three weeks for us. It's like we're stuck in a time warp."
Fundraising for a lasting memorial
The Clock Tower dedicated a live music night to Cody on Friday, September 25. This supported the ICU ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital where Cody was treated and a cat sanctuary to mark his love of cats.
However, the family say they still need money for Cody's headstone. Michelle said: "It's left a massive hole in our lives. You never think it's going to happen to you, you're not prepared.
"Given the prices of food and cost of living, what people have put into the GoFundMe is really appreciated because I don't think there's one person out there who isn't struggling."
On the GoFundMe page, Shannon added: "Cody was only 22 years old. His loss has left our family completely devastated. No family should ever have to experience the pain of losing someone they love so suddenly, and we are now trying to give him the beautiful and lasting memorial he deserves.
"We are raising money towards his headstone, so that we can create a special place where his family and friends can visit, remember him and feel close to him. We are doing this to help ease the financial burden on his dad during this incredibly difficult time."
The rider of the motorbike, a 22-year-old man, sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was initially arrested at the scene but has since been de-arrested and is assisting officers with their enquiries.
Anyone who witnessed the crash can contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML-2420723.
